Describe the key features of the Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was created by President Truman in March 1947, in response to the perceived communist and authoritarian threat in Turkey and Greece. In a speech to Congress, Truman stated that "it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures". Thus, the key justification of the policy was to protect human rights. To achieve this, $250 million was given in aid to Greece ,and $150 million to Turkey to aid their governments in fighting the communist threat. However, whilst on the surface this doctrine was centered around human rights, in reality the doctrine can be seen as a declaration of intent to aid any nations threatened by communists. So, another key feature of the Truman Doctrine was the beginning of open hostilities towards the Soviet Union. Indeed, the Truman Doctrine laid the foundations for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the military alliance of the US and its allies agaisnt the perceived Soviet threat.

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Answered by Mary R. History tutor

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